- Definition
Active listening means really paying attention to what someone is saying, both with their words and body language, and then showing them you understood by repeating it back in your own words.
After the coach explains a drill, a child says, 'So first we run to the cone, then we do five jumping jacks?'
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Active listening is like being a copycat who repeats back what a friend says to make sure you heard it right.
Ask your child: Can you be my echo and tell me what I just said?
Common mix-up: Kids may think listening just means being quiet. Active listening also means showing you understand by repeating the idea back in your own words.
Examples
- When choosing teams, a child repeats back, 'Okay, so you want me to pick Sarah for my team?'
- A friend explains a new game and you say, 'Got it, so the safe zone is by the big tree.'
active listening is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
